Befriending the Nervous System Therapists
Understanding and working with your nervous system can transform how you experience stress, emotions, and connection. Find therapists who focus on nervous system awareness on First Session.
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Hanna Verhagen
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in AB, BC, SK, MB, YT, NT, and NU.
Waitlist
Hanna Verhagen
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
Highly Sensitive Person, Anxiety, Life transitions, Burnout, General Mental Health, Building Self-Care Routines, Mindfulness Practices, Career Stress, ADHD, Aging, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Career Performance, Children/Teens, Creativity, Depression, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Nervous system regulation, Overwhelm, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Personal Growth, School challenges, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Social anxiety, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Women's Health, Work-Life Balance, Workplace stress
Highly Sensitive Person, Anxiety, Life transitions, Burnout, General Mental Health, Building Self-Care Routines, Mindfulness Practices, Career Stress, ADHD, Aging, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Career guidance, Career Performance, Children/Teens, Creativity, Depression, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration, Low mood, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, Nervous system regulation, Overwhelm, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Personal Growth, School challenges, Self-Criticism, Self-esteem, Social anxiety, Transitioning into Adulthood, Trauma, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Vulnerability, Women's Health, Work-Life Balance, Workplace stress
Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Renata Paula da Silva Roma
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Renata Paula da Silva Roma
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she/her
Offers Free Consultation
Grief and Loss, Anxiety, OCD, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Trauma, Separation anxiety, Performance anxiety, Depression, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Cultural Challenges, Burnout, Grief Processing, People pleasing, Fears and phobia, Befriending the Nervous System, Attachment, Low mood, Panic attacks, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds
Grief and Loss, Anxiety, OCD, Social anxiety, Phobias, Stress, Trauma, Separation anxiety, Performance anxiety, Depression, Perfectionism, Life transitions, Cultural Challenges, Burnout, Grief Processing, People pleasing, Fears and phobia, Befriending the Nervous System, Attachment, Low mood, Panic attacks, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment wounds
Ontario
Aimee Pudifin
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Aimee Pudifin
Registered Psychotherapist
she/they
Offers Free Consultation
Self-Criticism, Mindfulness, Attachment wounds, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Depression, Grief and Loss, Interpersonal dynamics, People pleasing
Self-Criticism, Mindfulness, Attachment wounds, Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Depression, Grief and Loss, Interpersonal dynamics, People pleasing
Ontario
Candice Burnett
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, NT, YT, AB, SK, and NL.
Waitlist
Candice Burnett
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor
she/her
Offers Free Consultation
Creativity, Psychedelic therapy, Disability, Addiction, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Children/Teens, Competitive anxiety, Dreams, Existential questions, Confidence, Identity and Self-Exploration, Learning disabilities, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance, Thought Restructuring, Somatic Therapy, Brain injury, Empowerment
Creativity, Psychedelic therapy, Disability, Addiction, Anxiety, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Children/Teens, Competitive anxiety, Dreams, Existential questions, Confidence, Identity and Self-Exploration, Learning disabilities, Mind-body connection, Nervous system regulation, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Performance anxiety, Sports Performance, Thought Restructuring, Somatic Therapy, Brain injury, Empowerment
British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador
Andrew Fawcett
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, MB, SK, YT, and NT.
Waitlist
Andrew Fawcett
Registered Clinical Counsellor
he/him
Offers Free Consultation
Befriending the Nervous System, Ecopsychotherapy, Attachment wounds, Brain injury, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Couples Therapy, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Mental Decolonization, Nature-Based Spirituality, Parenting, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Sex therapy, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dreams, Imposter syndrome, Men's issues, Neurodiversity, Cultural Challenges, Chronic Illness
Befriending the Nervous System, Ecopsychotherapy, Attachment wounds, Brain injury, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Couples Therapy, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Highly Sensitive Person, Intergenerational trauma, Mental Decolonization, Nature-Based Spirituality, Parenting, Rewilding & Reclaiming the Wild Feminine, Sex therapy, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dreams, Imposter syndrome, Men's issues, Neurodiversity, Cultural Challenges, Chronic Illness
British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories
Lauren Kolyn
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON and QC.
Waitlist
Lauren Kolyn
Registered Social Worker
she/her/hers
Offers Free Consultation
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Personal Growth, Relationship anxiety
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Burnout, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Intergenerational trauma, Life transitions, LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Identity and Self-Exploration, Personal Growth, Relationship anxiety
Ontario, Quebec
Cathy-Jo Shortt
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC, ON, AB, and SK.
Waitlist
Cathy-Jo Shortt
Canadian Certified Counsellor
She/her
Offers Free Consultation
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Effective communication, Family issues, Family Conflict, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, Self-esteem, Maternal mental health, Navigating challenging relationships, School challenges, Parenting, Befriending the Nervous System, Low mood, Depression, Nervous system regulation
Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Relationships, Anxiety, Boundaries and boundary setting, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Effective communication, Family issues, Family Conflict, Giftedness Issues, Learning disabilities, Self-esteem, Maternal mental health, Navigating challenging relationships, School challenges, Parenting, Befriending the Nervous System, Low mood, Depression, Nervous system regulation
British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in BC.
Waitlist
Aditi Pathare
Registered Clinical Counsellor
she/her
Offers Free Consultation
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, Relationships, Anxiety, Confidence, Attachment wounds, Creativity, Depression, Befriending the Nervous System, Emotional regulation, Identity and Self-Exploration, Grief and Loss, Mental Decolonization, Self-esteem, Trauma
British Columbia
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Diane Brussell
Registered Clinical Counsellor
She/Her, We/Us
Offers Free Consultation
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anger, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Befriending the Nervous System, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Borderline Personality Disorder, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Conflict resolution, Couples Therapy, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Mind-body connection, Mindfulness Practices, Navigating challenging relationships, PTSD, Transformative dream work, Somatic Therapy, Personal Growth, Trauma processing
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
Sabrina De Araujo
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Sabrina De Araujo
Registered Social Worker
Offers Free Consultation
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, ADHD, Assertiveness, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Burnout, Couples, Dating challenges, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Identity and Self-Exploration, Interpersonal dynamics, General Mental Health, Maternal mental health, Nervous system regulation, Grief and Loss, Familial and social relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Self-esteem, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Mind-body connection, Depression
Ontario
Sara Kiss
Registered Psychotherapist
Virtual Sessions in all provinces and territories.
Waitlist
Sara Kiss
Registered Psychotherapist
She/Her
Offers Free Consultation
Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Wellness Counselling, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Depression
Anxiety, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Wellness Counselling, Relationships, Familial and social relationships, Depression
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Maria Legault
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
Maria Legault
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
she, her, elle, la
Offers Free Consultation
Self-esteem, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Attunement, Befriending the Nervous System, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Career Stress, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Cultural Challenges, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Wellness Counselling, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma processing, Women's Health, Creativity, Empowerment, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image
Self-esteem, Anxiety, Workplace stress, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Attunement, Befriending the Nervous System, Break-up recovery, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Boundaries and boundary setting, Burnout, Career Stress, Childhood trauma, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Confidence, Cultural Challenges, Connecting with your Inherent Power, Wellness Counselling, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Trauma processing, Women's Health, Creativity, Empowerment, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Negative body image
Ontario
Molly McBride
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Virtual Sessions in MB, NU, YT, NT, BC, SK, and NL.
Waitlist
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Molly McBride
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Offers Free Consultation
Nervous system regulation, Addiction, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Trauma processing, Workplace stress
Nervous system regulation, Addiction, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Depression coping skills, Emotional regulation, Existential questions, Familial and social relationships, Life transitions, Meaning and purpose, Negative thinking and ruminating, OCD, PTSD, Self Destructive Behaviour, Spirituality, Trauma processing, Workplace stress
Manitoba, Nunavut, Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador
Sabrina Sibbald
Registered Social Worker
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Sabrina Sibbald
Registered Social Worker
she/her
Offers Free Consultation
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration
Anxiety, Trauma, People pleasing, Attachment trauma, Befriending the Nervous System, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Boundaries and boundary setting, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mind-body connection, BIPOC, Emotional regulation, Break-up recovery, Dissociation, Low mood, Social anxiety, Familial and social relationships, Family Conflict, Intergenerational trauma, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Mindfulness, Nervous system regulation, Perfectionism, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Identity and Self-Exploration
Ontario
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Therapy is hard work.
Finding the right therapist shouldn’t be. Over 10,000 Canadians found their new therapist with First Session.
What does it mean to befriend the nervous system?
Befriending the nervous system means developing awareness of how your body responds to stress and learning to work with those responses rather than against them. This approach often draws on understanding of the autonomic nervous system and how it shifts between states of activation (fight or flight), shutdown, and calm connection. The goal is to build capacity for returning to a regulated state and responding to life's challenges with more flexibility.
Who might benefit from nervous system-focused therapy?
This approach may be helpful for people who experience chronic stress, anxiety, difficulty relaxing, or a sense of being constantly on edge. It can also support those recovering from trauma, dealing with burnout, or wanting to better understand the connection between their physical sensations and emotional experiences. Many people find it valuable for improving overall wellbeing and resilience.
What's it like to work on nervous system regulation in therapy?
Therapy focused on the nervous system often includes learning about how your body responds to stress, noticing physical sensations, and practicing techniques that help shift your state. Sessions might involve breathwork, grounding exercises, movement, or simply developing greater awareness of your body's signals. The pace is typically gentle and responsive to what feels manageable for you.
How long does this type of therapy typically take?
The duration varies depending on your goals and what you're working through. Some people notice shifts in their awareness and responses relatively quickly, while building lasting change in nervous system patterns often happens gradually over time. Your therapist can help you understand what to expect based on your individual situation.
How do I know if a therapist is right for me?
Finding the right fit matters. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their style and personality before reaching out. Pay attention to whether they seem warm, grounded, and like someone you'd feel comfortable exploring these topics with. Reading their profiles can also help you understand their training and approach.
How do I book a session?
Browse therapists on First Session who work with nervous system regulation, watch their intro videos, and book directly online when you find someone who feels like a good match. You can choose between online and in-person sessions based on what works best for you.